Spain's Rajoy says will seek parliament's backing to form government

Record ID: 83752

  • Title: Spain's Rajoy says will seek parliament's backing to form government
  • Date: 25th October 2016
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (OCTOBER 25, 2016) (REUTERS) RAJOY ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM AT MONCLOA PALACE RAJOY AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH ACTING PRIME MINISTER, MARIANO RAJOY, SAYING: "The king has asked me to submit my candidacy as prime minister and I have accepted. I think it is coherent with the position I have defended throughout this fruitless, temporary state of politics." JOURNALISTS, RAJOY AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH ACTING PRIME MINISTER, MARIANO RAJOY, SAYING: "I would have liked to have had a wider parliamentary majority, more committed to a government programme that would allow all uncertainty to be dissipated from the first instance. I know that will not be the case, but, regardless, if I am elected, I will work from day one so that there is a capable, stable and long-lasting government." RAJOY AT PODIUM RAJOY LEAVING PODIUM AND STOPPING TO TALK TO JOURNALISTS RAJOY TALKING TO JOURNALISTS RAJOY TALKING TO JOURNALISTS THEN LEAVING JOURNALISTS IN NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM
  • Embargoed: 9th November 2016 15:49
  • Keywords: King Felipe Spain Politics Government Madrid Mariano Rajoy Confidence vote
  • Location: MADRID, SPAIN
  • City: MADRID, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00255I6HJB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Tuesday (October 25) he had accepted a mandate from King Felipe to seek parliament's backing to form a new government and end over 10 months of political deadlock.
    The Socialist party agreed on Sunday (October 23) to abstain in the vote, allowing Rajoy to lead a minority government of his conservative People's Party (PP), but they have said they will not give him a free hand in passing legislation.
    Rajoy said he was aware that of difficulties of governing in minority, but vowed to work hard to have a stable and long-lasting government.
    "I would have liked to have had a wider parliamentary majority, more committed to a government programme that would allow all uncertainty to be dissipated from the first instance. I know that will not be the case, but, regardless, if I am elected, I will work from day one so that there is a capable, stable and long-lasting government."
    Spain's parliament will begin discussing acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's bid for a second term in office on Wednesday (October 26), the house speaker said on Tuesday.
    It is customary for Spanish parliament to debate the investiture bid before voting the next day.
    If Rajoy fails to secure an absolute majority, falling short of the 176 votes required in a 350-seat lower house, a second vote would be held within 48 hours where he would only need to win a simple majority.
    The Socialist party agreed on Sunday to abstain in a second vote to enable a Rajoy-led minority government.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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